Locomotive boiler



April 21, 1931. Y B. E; LARSON 1,801,434

LOCOMOTIVE BOIEER Filed May, 16, 1928' Patented pr'. n21, 1931 UNITED STATES vPATENT OFFICE BERT E. LARSON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO LOCOMOTIVE FIREBOX COM PANY, F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION 0F DELAWARE f LOCOMOTIVE BOILER Application filed May 16, 1928. Serial No. 278,122.

This invention relates to improvements in locomotive boilers and it consists of the matters hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

The primary object of the invention is to provide an improved means whereby the water-circulation of the boiler is increased and whereby a novel means is provided for connecting the siphon element inthe firebox with the boiler water space forward of the front water leg.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved connection between the inlet of the siphon element and the boiler shell, which is so located without the boiler as to have the desired flexibility but still be steam and water tight and which may be readily disassembled for cleaning and repair.

These objects of the invention as well as others, together with the many advantages thereof will be more fully understood as I proceed with my invention.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view through the fire box end of a locomotive boiler embodying one form of the invention. Fig.V 2 is a fragmentary detail sectional view on an enlarged scale of parts shown at the bottom right hand cornerof Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing a modified form of the invention. f

Referring now in detail to that embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawing: 1 indicates the back sheet of the fire box and 2 indicates the flue sheet thereof. The sides of the,

iire box are formed by the side sheets 3-3 and the top is formed by the transversely arched or curved crown sheet 4 which merges into said side sheets. Said side sheets together with the crown sheetextend between and are connected at their ends to the back sheet and flue sheet respectively in the manner well known.

The wrapper of the boiler includes a roof sheet 5, a back head 6, the usual outer irebox sheets and an outer front throat sheet 7 together with a boiler shell 8 all in the manner well known. The front and rear water legs 9 and 10 respectively, and the side water legs are all closed at the bottom by a mud ring 11. In the back head and back sheet respectively is formed the fuel door opening 12 and extending forwardly from the flue sheet 2 are the lues or tubes 13 through which the products of combustion from the firebox are drawn to the smoke box at the front end of the boiler (not shown) in the manner well known. The various associated sheets are suitably staybolted as is the practice in locomotive boiler work. In the bottom end of the flue sheet and in the front throat plate respectively, are fixed the ends of a tube or sleeve 14 which provides a pressure tight opening or passageway through the front water leg of the boiler, the purpose of which will later appear.

In connection with the firebox structure of the boiler just described, there is provided therein a flat tubular water circulating and steaming element indicatedas a whole by the numeral 15 and which has now become well known as the Nicholson thermic siphon. This element is substantially triangular when viewed in side elevation and has a laterally flanged top end 16 which is fixed in a longitudinally elongated opening in the crown sheet to provide the discharge mouth or end of the siphon that opens into the water and steam space above the crown sheet. The front end of said siphon is substantially ver tical while its bottom end is inclined downwardly and forwardly and is of a bulged cross section to terminate in a tubular neck 17. The forward end portion of said neck extends horizontally and passes freely through thesleeve 14 to terminate a short distance in advance of the front throat 9. An extension 18 is butt Welded to the neck extremity as indicated at 19 in Fig. 2 and a sleeve 20 surrounds the adjacent welded ends of said extremity and extension to be in turn welded at its ends thereto as indicated at 21 in Fig. 2.

Secured to the bottom portion of the boiler shell, a suitable distance forward of the front water leg is an elbow-like fitting indicated as a whole at 22. The upright leg 23 of said fitting is flanged and opens through and is secured to the boiler shell while the horizontal leg 24 of said fitting faces rearwardly.

operatively connecting the neck extension 18 and the horizontal leg 24 of the fitting 22, is a tube the forward end of which is made spherical as at 26 to engage in a packing gland 27 at the rear end of the elbow leg 24; a nut 28 being screwed on said leg end which nut together with a gasket 29 causes the gland to so engage the spherical tube end as to there rovide a ball joint connection which thong liexible, is pressure tight and leak proof.

The rear end of the tube 25 is radially enlarged as at 3() and is provided with an annular seat 31 in which a packing 32 is diss posed, a compression member 33 being asaoeinted With the seat and connected to the eIl lar end by means of bolts 34. When Sai bolts are drawn up tight the packing 32 is compressed in the seat to snugly engage upon the extension which projects forwardly of the Same and thus provides a good tight slip joint fitting between theI neck extension and said tubular member.

When the element within the lirebox is exposed to the products of combustion, it will, 0f Course, expand to Some extent and asthe top or outlet end of the Siphon is anchored in the crown Sheet, Such movement as is produced not only in the expansion but also in the contraction takes place at the inlet end thereof. Thus any elongation of the neck is taken care of in the slip joint while any lateral or up and down movement of said neck is taken care of by the ball joint. For cleaning purj'ioses, I

` novide in the elbow-litting 22, cleanout plugs 2 and 22, respectively.

In Fig. 3, I have illustrated a slightly modified form of construction and like parts therein bear the Same reference numerals as employed in Figs. l and 2. In said Fig. 3 the only material change is that instead off pro vidmg a single tubular member as in Fig. 2, 1 )rovide a. similar construction embodyingr t e two parts 25 and 25h, respectively, having a screw threaded connection and the neck part 1Sa is made integral with the Siphon instead of being welded thereto as in Fig. 2. The part 25 is formed to provide the saine type of slip joint as in Fig. 2 while the part 25 has the same type of ball joint connection with the elbow 22 as in said Fig. 2. This construction has the advantage of reduction in cost. of manufacture as the part 25 may be a casting or forging while the part 25 may be made of seamless tubing formed to provide the spherical end as is apparent.

The construction described being all lo cated outside of the tirebox is easy ol access for Cleaning, repair and assembly and permits movement of that part of the siphon moet affected by temperature changes in the irebox.

While in describing the invention, I have referred in detail to the form and arrangement of the various parts thereof, the same is to be considered as onl by way of illustra tion and not by way ofy limitation except as may be expressly pointed out in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A locomotive boiler including a irebox, a flat. hollow thermic Siphon fixed at one end in the crown sheet of the irebox and having a neck extending through and forwardly beyond the front water leg of the boiler and means connecting said neck with the boiler at a point in advance of said water leg and including a ball joint fitting.

2. A locomotive boiler including a firebox, a flat hollow thermic Siphon iXed at one end in the crown sheet of the lirebox and having a neck extending throu h and forwardly beyoud the front water eg ot'- the boiler and means connecting said neck with the boiler at a point in advance oic Said water leg and including both a ball joint and a slip joint construction therein.

3. In combination with a locomotive boiler having a front water leg and a lirebox, a tubular member having a part in the irebox and a part beyond the front water leg, a fitting dcponding from the boiler shell forward of said water leg.r and means including both a ball joint and a slip joint for connecting said litting and said last-mentioned part of said tubula r member.

l. In combination with a. locomotive boiler having a Jfront water leg and a tirebox, a tubular member having a part of the lirebox and a part extending through and beyond the front water leg, a fitting de )ending from the boiler shell forward of said water leg and a tubular member having at one end a ball and socket connection with said fitting and formed at its other end for a Slip joint connection with that part of said first mentioned member extending through and beyond said water leg.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, this 10th day of May, 1928.

BERT E. LARSON. 

